What are the health benefits of buttermilk?
We found no NHS, NIH or FDA page that lists specific health benefits of buttermilk. What USDA FoodData Central does show is its nutrition: cultured lowfat buttermilk has about 40 kcal, 1.07 g fat, 3.31 g protein and 116 mg calcium per 100 g. That is about 98 kcal and 284 mg calcium per cup (our calculation).
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What is in a cup of buttermilk?
USDA lists “Milk, buttermilk, fluid, cultured, lowfat” per 100 g, with a cup weighing 245 g. The cup column is our calculation.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per cup (245 g, our calculation) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 40 kcal | about 98 kcal |
| Protein | 3.31 g | about 8.1 g |
| Total fat | 1.07 g | about 2.6 g |
| Total sugars | 5.36 g | about 13.1 g |
| Calcium | 116 mg | about 284 mg |
| Potassium | 151 mg | about 370 mg |
Does buttermilk improve digestion, immunity or weight?
Claims like these appear on many sites. We found no official source (NHS, NIH, FDA, EFSA, WHO) stating that buttermilk improves digestion, boosts immunity, strengthens bones or helps with weight, so we do not repeat them. The USDA data supports only that buttermilk is a source of protein and calcium and is lower in fat than whole milk.
Does it have probiotics?
The USDA entry does not list live cultures. Whether a bottle contains live cultures depends on the brand, so check the label.
Who should ask a doctor?
If you have a milk allergy, lactose intolerance or a condition that limits sodium or sugar, ask a doctor or pharmacist before adding it to your diet.
People also ask
What are the health benefits of buttermilk?
We found no official source (NHS, NIH, FDA) that lists specific benefits. USDA data shows it provides protein and calcium with about 1 g fat per 100 g.
How many calories are in a cup of buttermilk?
About 98 kcal per cup of cultured lowfat buttermilk, from the USDA value of 40 kcal per 100 g and a 245 g cup (our calculation).
Is buttermilk high in calcium?
USDA lists 116 mg of calcium per 100 g, about 284 mg per cup (our calculation).
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